PLANS LODGED FOR INNER WEST'S NEWEST BTR PRECINCT
05 Mar 2025
The founders of Scape have filed plans for NSW’s largest mixed-use build-to-rent development, to be located in Sydney’s inner west.
The State Significant Development Application for the Timberyards project outlines plans for 1188 apartments across seven buildings, as well as 2394sq m of retail and commercial spaces, 2890 sq m of indoor communal areas and 10,200 sq m of outdoor communal and public open space. The project would be developed by Rent to Live Co (RTL Co), a venture established by Scape founders Craig Carracher and Stephen Gaitanos.
With community connection at its heart, the design pays homage to its past with the retention of an existing warehouse structure as the centrepiece of the central public domain corridor and the inclusion of new creative, cultural and recreational spaces designed to cater for a mix of experiences and community needs – providing significant public benefit to the local government area.
The proposed development comprises 115 affordable rental units, 484 build-to-rent apartments and 589 co-living homes. The plans also include a 225sq m creative arts hub for artists and makers, featuring gallery and workshop spaces. The project’s gross floor area totals 76,643 sq m, with a 3.4:1 floor space ratio.
The 2.2ha site at Marrickville is bound by Victoria and Sydenham roads, and Farr and Mitchell streets. It is 7km from Sydney’s CBD within the Inner West Council area and 700m from Sydenham Station. The existing warehouse structure would be retained as the centrepiece of the central public domain corridor.
The development application said the project would incorporate environmentally sustainable design principles and follows Scape becoming the first in the student accommodation sector to receive a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
The project’s design is a collaboration between multiple architectural firms, with Turner Studio as the primary architect, and Tribe Studio, Architecture AND, Aileen Sage Architecture and Matthew Pullinger. The project also involves First Nations input and landscape architecture from Yerrabingin and Arcadia, while Ethos Urban is the project planner.
Construction is planned to begin in March of 2026, subject to approval, and completed in September 2028.
